PC Hardware Porn Thread[NSFW] ;)

MarkAnthony

So it's time to start dreaming about my new build. I'm fairly happy with picking all my own internals but somewhere I always seem to fall down is the ancillary parts, so fellow PC enthusiasts I need your help!

I'm thinking we should start a hardware porn thread. Here's my ideal case. What are the alternatives?

Corsair Air 540



Thanks in advance!

BTW changed the purpose of the thread sorry! :pac:

TerrorFirmer

The Phantek Pro M is one of the most beautiful cases I've ever used. That full acrylic side window is incredible - almost like having the side of your case off all the time. Now comes in Gun Metal and Green as well. I'm ordering a new build this week and for the first time ever I'm ordering the same case as I previously used. Pictures make it look smaller than it is, it's a decent sized case but not too big and cabling is a dream.

MarkAnthony

I miss my full acrylic side window and my 600T why I ever parted with them...

Serephucus

I'm personally not a fan of windows, but I must admit I seriously considered (and still am, to an extent), doing a proper watercooling job (actually putting money/thought into aesthetics) when I saw the Evolv ATX. It's ridiculously appealing to me. They also have a tempered glass edition now too if that's what you like.

Calibos

I'll have two Air540's to show next week.

I bought a black one when they first came out in 2013 I think it was with the intention of building a 27 Hotswap Bay media server. That never happened at the time for a myriad of reasons.

This year I decided to finally put it to use for my VR PC build. It was going to go in a corner on top of the desk but it was a left hand corner which would put the leftside window against the left hand wall. Then I remembered seeing photo's of some people Air540's where they use the case tipped over on its side with the window facing up. The more I thought about it, the more I really liked and grew attached to that idea.

However, I wanted the outside of the PC case to be white for the aesthetic I was going for. I was going to use PlastiDip white paint on it. At the same time my new plan for the media server fell through and I realised that my original plan for the server in that Air540 case was still the one that made most sense for the media server.

I then realised that the answer to both problems was to purchase another Air540, this time in white, and use the new one for the VR PC build and put the original black Air540 to its original intended use.

So on the lefthand corner of my desk I'll have the White Air540 VR PC build orientated on its side with the window facing upwards. On the righthand corner of my desk I'll have the black Air540 in its normal upright orientation and loaded with 27 Hotswap bays. I've got the Bays the same time as the case years ago. I've picked up the Thermaltake Riing Fans for it while I was getting the same fans for the White VR PC build and I also bought the Bitfenix magnetic LED strips that will light up the Hotswap Bays. However, the Mobo,CPU,Cooler,PSU and SAS cards will have to wait another month or two till my Visa recovers from the VR Build purchases.

I did this concept render a couple of years ago.



However, it'll look more like this unrendered Sketchup model in the end because I'm not heavily modding the case anymore.

MarkAnthony

So we've had some beautiful cases Now can anyone suggest the quietest CPU coolers by any chance? And by extension the quietest fans please?

Serephucus

NH-D15 gets my vote. Expensive, but does the job.

As for fans... That's a tricky one. There have been a bunch of new ones released over the past while that I haven't yet had the chance to test. EK's Vardar, Fractal's Venturi, and most recently, Corsair's ML series (those look cool)

MarkAnthony

For about €20 you can start to go into the AIO 240mm rad solutions; would you mind if I ask your (and anyone else's ofc) thoughts there? Are they quieter? I like the idea of the fans serving two purposes (intake/outtake) and cooling the rad. Is it possible to get the fan spinning really slowly on that sort of set up or is it redundant in comparison to the NH-D15.

This is probably in a no overclocking scenario.

Pic for porn reasons

Serephucus

I had the same thought, but I ended up going with the D15 because, while it might not perform quite as well as an AIO, I have it cooling a (stock :eek:) 4790K, with one fan, running at about 300RPM normally, and goes up to only about 700RPM under full load.

At idle it's (probably) quieter than an AIO because of there not being a pump, and under load... Meh, the two fans on my (MSI) 970 are slightly louder anyway.

MarkAnthony

Serephucus wrote: »

I had the same thought, but I ended up going with the D15 because, while it might not perform quite as well as an AIO, I have it cooling a (stock :eek:) 4790K, with one fan, running at about 300RPM normally, and goes up to only about 700RPM under full load.

At idle it's (probably) quieter than an AIO because of there not being a pump, and under load... Meh, the two fans on my (MSI) 970 are slightly louder anyway.

Nice! I was wondering about the pump - I had the V1 H100 back in the day. I'm looking for a completely silent build at idle so that seems a good plan. I want to set the GPU up so the fans dont come on below 60C so hopefully at idle they're be off.

Do you get noise from the case fans?

MarkAnthony

Also assuming we're willing to take a step down in performance - anything sexier than the NH-D15 in terms of looks anyone?

Serephucus

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Do you get noise from the case fans?

Not unless there's a very long game session going on. Usually everything stays cold enough that they're all off.

I haven't really configured them very well to be honest. Occasionally something will make them turn on for a few seconds - The CPU temp, I think - and then they're off again. This has only started recently though, so it's probably just this blasted hot Summer pushing things over the threshold.

MarkAnthony

Serephucus wrote: »

Not unless there's a very long game session going on. Usually everything stays cold enough that they're all off.

I haven't really configured them very well to be honest. Occasionally something will make them turn on for a few seconds - The CPU temp, I think - and then they're off again. This has only started recently though, so it's probably just this blasted hot Summer pushing things over the threshold.

Sorry should have mentioned I don't mind a bit of noise during gaming - it's only idle that I'm looking for a silent machine. Guess I'll have to buy a NAS too and move any mechanical HDDs out of it.

MarkAnthony

Just ordered:



Okay not exactly understated :pac: but it'll do for the new(redone) build.

MarkAnthony

...aaaand that won't fit in the Air 240 so went with the... actually still ordering :eek:

Edit: Had to go with a H100i V2 on further investigation due to the clearance issues. Cost more than the bloody case!

The went with a NH9US - I think I've placed and canceled half a dozen orders... Sorry Amazon doh!

And.. back to the H100i V2.

Must... leave... computer.

Calibos

Dr Calibos has diagnosed Paralysis by Analysis.

This is why I am without a VR PC despite knowing roughly when I would receive my Oculus Rift since the April 12th ETA emails. Finally settled on all my component choices last week and ordered. However even that was fraught with paralysis by analysis which took 2 or 3 days to sort through till I finally clicked 'Order' on my baskets. I'd settled on 16gb of Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4...but which speed? 2600mhz, 3000mhz, 3200mhz, which latency? CL14, CL15. I'd settled on a 280mm Corsair AIO cooler...but which one? The Corsair rebranded Asetek H110i GTX or H115i GTX or the Corsair rebranded Coolit H110i GT. I'd settled on a Corsair 750w PSU...but which version the RMx750 or the RMi750 that can talk to the Corsair Link Software. etc etc etc The GPU choice a week before on May 27th with the launch of Pascal and the GTX1080's was the same. I'd settled on a GTX1080...but which one? The Founders Edition or an aftermarket eVGA, Asus, Gigabyte, Zotac etc etc.

After all that, its still looking like I'll end up having had a Rift sitting on my desk for a month unused and a PC arriving this week that certainly won't be capable of running a Rift for a few more weeks because....all aftermarket manufacturer 1080's are delayed till June 17th at the earliest. My frustration might be why I am even more sensitive than usual to 'Jokey' comments in that other thread.

Noxin

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Just ordered:
Giant bloody cooler
Okay not exactly understated :pac: but it'll do for the new(redone) build.

That's the most stupid looking thing I have ever seen. I WANT ONE :eek:

.G.

Calibos wrote: »

Dr Calibos has diagnosed Paralysis by Analysis.

This is why I am without a VR PC despite knowing roughly when I would receive my Oculus Rift since the April 12th ETA emails. Finally settled on all my component choices last week and ordered. However even that was fraught with paralysis by analysis which took 2 or 3 days to sort through till I finally clicked 'Order' on my baskets. I'd settled on 16gb of Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4...but which speed? 2600mhz, 3000mhz, 3200mhz, which latency? CL14, CL15. I'd settled on a 280mm Corsair AIO cooler...but which one? The Corsair rebranded Asetek H110i GTX or H115i GTX or the Corsair rebranded Coolit H110i GT. I'd settled on a Corsair 750w PSU...but which version the RMx750 or the RMi750 that can talk to the Corsair Link Software. etc etc etc The GPU choice a week before on May 27th with the launch of Pascal and the GTX1080's was the same. I'd settled on a GTX1080...but which one? The Founders Edition or an aftermarket eVGA, Asus, Gigabyte, Zotac etc etc.

After all that, its still looking like I'll end up having had a Rift sitting on my desk for a month unused and a PC arriving this week that certainly won't be capable of running a Rift for a few more weeks because....all aftermarket manufacturer 1080's are delayed till June 17th at the earliest. My frustration might be why I am even more sensitive than usual to 'Jokey' comments in that other thread.

It's a terrible affliction that one, I've had it too the last few weeks! I get it every bloody time I go to buy tech stuff. Stop over thinking! :mad::D

MarkAnthony

superg wrote: »

It's a terrible affliction that one, I've had it too the last few weeks! I get it every bloody time I go to buy tech stuff. Stop over thinking! :mad::D

So far I managed to pick a cooler and GPU that would under no circumstances fit in the case! :pac:

Nedved85

Great thread - I'm kind of in a similar boat - Looking to upgrade / replace my PC. Specs in the sig below.

GTX 1080 ordered.

Want to Upgrade CPU, Ram and MB.

Undecided between skylake (6700k) and the new 6800k - From what I understand skylake == Z170 Motherboard and 6800 series == x99 Motherboard.

I really like this case https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVEOn1twkYQ

But the case seems massive, I already have an old Antec 1200, great case, plenty room but it's huge, a bit too big maybe ? (That's what she said ).

The evolv ATX Tempered glass mentioned above has also caught my eye.

.G.

MarkAnthony wrote:

So far I managed to pick a cooler and GPU that would under no circumstances fit in the case!

Well yeah, stuff actually physically fitting into other stuff is defo something that needs consideration.

MarkAnthony

After many years of buggering about with

-SLI/Crossfire
-Eyefinity
-Overclocking
-Watercooling

and various other bits and bobs I really have come to the conclusion that although the above is fun I just can't be arsed anymore. I wan't it small, quiet and looking good :pac:

I have to say it's so much easier these days. I've a 34" ultrawide which is so close to surround, VR is here for the sims and stuff. MATX is no longer a swear word and main stream processors are top notch they really are. Not to mention AIO coolers becoming popular. All I want these days is a mild OC on the GPU.

It's become about the nice cases, silent fans etc. hence the thread. Still I'd never advise people against trying all these things out, it's a lot of fun and some great bargains to be had buying and selling second hand stuff!

Serephucus

MarkAnthony wrote: »

After many years of buggering about with

-SLI/Crossfire
-Eyefinity
-Overclocking
-Watercooling

and various other bits and bobs I really have come to the conclusion that although the above is fun I just can't be arsed anymore. I wan't it small, quiet and looking good :pac:

I'm kinda coming to the same conclusion. Although, Phanteks' Evolv is making me think twice...

MarkAnthony wrote: »

MATX is no longer a swear word

Isn't it? Seems to be lately that it's ITX that's getting all the love (as well as the usual ATX), with mATX being left out a lot of the time. Maybe I'm wrong. Haven't really paid too much attention lately, what with Intel basically re-releasing the same processor for the past five years. :P

MarkAnthony wrote: »

It's become about the nice cases, silent fans etc. hence the thread. Still I'd never advise people against trying all these things out, it's a lot of fun and some great bargains to be had buying and selling second hand stuff!

This is where it's at. I've thought about doing real-world fan comparisons. Nothing hugely scientific, just a good mic and a camera, upload to Youtube kind of thing, but I can never be arsed find the time to do it.

It's a pity coil whine seems to be such a thing these days. That can absolutely ruin a silent build, and it's something I'm hoping isn't too common with the 1000 series - But probably will be, given that it's just Maxwell on crack and the 970's were pretty bad for it.

Calibos

OC3D Asus Strix 1080 review talks about Coil Whine

https://youtu.be/IevrJgHhM5U?t=11m39s

Serephucus

Nice. I skipped through that video a bit, and missed the very first bit about coil whine. I thought he was talking about the noise level of the card in general.

However, sample size of one, etc. I think it might actually be my PSU, as I've had two 580s, 670, two 780s, and a 970, all squeal (differing amounts) with it...

Calibos

Serephucus wrote: »

Nice. I skipped through that video a bit, and missed the very first bit about coil whine. I thought he was talking about the noise level of the card in general.

However, sample size of one, etc. I think it might actually be my PSU, as I've had two 580s, 670, two 780s, and a 970, all squeal (differing amounts) with it...

Maybe the aftermarket manufacturers (don't know about reference boards) realised that the problem was only going to get worse as FPS on older titles with these new cards climb ever higher and put more effort this generation into chokes and VRM's etc to reduce the volume of coil whine.

ED E

Lads lads lads, whats with all this ATX nonsense, Inverted-ATX is where you wanna be

MarkAnthony

ED E wrote: »

Lads lads lads, whats with all this ATX nonsense, Inverted-ATX is where you wanna be

I was gonna do that! Well with the MATX board - the window in cases is never on the correct side for me!

Eoinmc97

ED E wrote: »

Lads lads lads, whats with all this ATX nonsense, Inverted-ATX is where you wanna be

I do say BTX is truly the gentlemen's choice:rolleyes:

ED E

Well I'm going for Inverted SSI-EEB now

Serephucus

Damn right.